Sage Ireland snaffles Delta Systems

Shopping spree continues

Software company Sage Ireland has continued its shopping spree with the acquisition of Delta Systems, a customer relationship management (CRM) software firm.

The firm is remaining tight-lipped about the asking price, and has yet to specify the terms of the deal. However, weekend media reports have indicated that Delta sold for a six-figure sum.

Established in 1992, Delta Systems specialises in CRM, customer service and support, and e-business solutions. It is the accredited sole distributor of FrontRange's GoldMine systems in Ireland and has a list of high-profile clients including Canon, KPMG, VHI, BUPA, Anglo Irish Bank, Enterprise Ireland and BMW.

Founder and managing director of Delta Systems David Larkin will move to Sage, taking up the position of general manager at CRM Solutions, an operating division of Sage Ireland, at the company's Citywest premises. In a statement on Delta Systems' website, Larkin assured customers that it will be "business as usual for all", and that the company will remain committed to the FrontRange products.

The purchase of the CRM firm indicates further moves by Sage into the customer relationship market, bringing the necessary skills, capability and domain knowledge to build on the company's position. The merger has expanded the company's CRM offerings; Sage's own products include Act!, SalesLogix and ACCPAC CRM, and the company will continue to act as a partner for GoldMine, Heat and GoldMine BCM Corporate Edition products.

This latest acquisition is the most recent in a long line for Sage Ireland. The Irish arm of the company was set up in 1999 to provide businesses with local support and services and has made a number of acquisitions since to further cement its position in the market. Past purchases include rival accountancy software firm Service Software Accounting Package (SSAP), ACCPAC and Dublin-based Denver Manufacturing in 2004, and a raft of 2003 buyouts that included Timberline, Grupo Sp and Softline.

Sage employs more than 220 people in Ireland and 5,000 worldwide. The Irish division of the company provides software to over 50,000 customers across the country, most of which are small and medium businesses and accounting firms.